Shah draws PM's attention towards PIA offices closure

ISLAMABAD - Leader of Opposition in National Assembly, Syed Khursheed Shah, has written a letter to Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, drawing latter's attention towards closure of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) offices in Sindh and Balochistan.The opposition leader stated in the letter, "I would like to draw your attention towards the closure of four PIA offices in four districts of Sindh namely Hyderabad, Jacobabad, Shikarpur and Nawabshah, and one in Pasni district of Balochistan. It is a matter of grave concern for the local community as it will result not only in the loss of many jobs but also a convenient transportation facility for the local populace."Shah said that capable and efficient officers were completely ignored during recent promotions in PIA, which not only raised questions regarding the impartiality of merit system but would also result in demoralisation of the employees on the whole. He was of the opinion that decisions should be made in an unbiased and appropriate manner, adding that closing the offices and ignoring the deserving employees for promotions would not result in improving the efficiency of the national flag carrier.He noted, "If the government is seriously interested in the revival of PIA, it should take those productive steps which will make it a profitable organisation and refrain from those which deepen the sense of deprivation and exploitation. Government's responsibility is to facilitate the public rather than depriving them further of the available facilities."The opposition leader asked the premier to look into the matter and direct the authorities concerned to take appropriate steps to rectify the things.

This news was published in The Nation newspaper. Read complete newspaper of 14-Apr-2014 here.